Osama Al-Safi, the Executive Director of Operations at Parkin, stated that artificial intelligence has the potential for extensive future applications in the parking and transportation sectors. He emphasized the importance of embracing cutting-edge technology to provide flexible and seamless solutions that enhance mobility and save time.
In comments to a local newspaper, Al-Safi highlighted the company’s participation in GITEX, where they showcased the latest smart technologies in parking management and mobility. He noted their commitment to presenting innovative digital solutions that support the transition towards smart cities and environmental sustainability.
He added, “At this global event, we are presenting the forefront of technology in smart parking and transportation. From day one, we have been demonstrating advanced systems and technologies that captured the interest of visitors. Our participation focused on several key areas: smart services, intelligent monitoring, and sustainability.”
In the smart services category, the company introduced several new and developed services available through their mobile application and onsite. These include fuel supply, car washing, battery repairs, and for the first time in Dubai, electric vehicle charging stations in public parking areas.
Regarding intelligent monitoring, the company showcased the latest AI systems for field supervision, such as the next-generation smart vehicle scanning devices, precise digital cameras linked directly with payment and toll collection systems, and the latest innovation of smart glasses.
These smart glasses enable field inspectors to read a vehicle’s license plate with a glance, instantly identifying whether parking fees have been paid via any digital payment method or if the vehicle is exempt or holds a subscription. If none of these conditions are met, the information is automatically transmitted to the intelligent system to issue a violation without manual intervention.
Al-Safi highlighted that the integration of these digital technologies has significantly increased public compliance. He noted that the common perception is that individuals may violate parking rules when no inspector is present. However, awareness of continuous smart monitoring through cameras fosters self-regulation among users, leading to improved compliance rates. Consequently, this has also resulted in an increase in sustainable revenue due to consistent payments.
“Regular revenue from compliance is far better than that from fines, as it is sustainable and promotes order. Moreover, monitoring violations no longer requires the inspector’s physical presence; they can now be automatically generated from a smart control center via cameras and scanning devices, while the inspector retains a general regulatory and supervisory role,” he explained.
Discussing the company’s role in reducing traffic congestion and carbon emissions, Al-Safi pointed to two main focus areas: traffic and environmental.
On the traffic side, they noted that charging for parking based on studied traffic criteria has considerably decreased occupancy rates. For instance, when they identify an area with an 80% or 70% occupancy rate, implementing reasonable fees based on site nature can drop this rate to around 30%, thus allowing more people to find parking easily.
This approach has helped increase vehicle turnover; even if a spot is occupied, the vehicle does not remain parked for long, encouraging swift movement and making spaces available to more users.
From an environmental perspective, he confirmed that the company supports the transition towards electric vehicles by introducing fully electric monitoring vehicles in their fleet and providing charging stations in public parking. Additionally, they are allocating eco-friendly parking spots to encourage electric vehicle owners, all of which contribute to reducing carbon emissions and improving the city’s quality of life.
Parkin has also signed several strategic agreements to advance its sustainability and digital transformation efforts, with Al-Safi highlighting a significant agreement with Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) for generating electrical power in public parking areas.
Additionally, they have a partnership with Etisalat to enhance communication and data technologies in parking infrastructure, and another with Microsoft to provide smart cloud services and data management. The company has obtained three ISO certifications in environmental quality, recognizing its commitment to international environmental standards.
Al-Safi also discussed the company’s new smart application launched in the first quarter of this year, affirming that both the app and the website undergo monthly updates. “Our goal is to make the app more user-friendly and flexible, having reduced the payment process steps from six to just one,” he said.
The app now offers precise options for locating vehicles and parking spaces, saving user and vehicle data to expedite payment. He also revealed plans to launch a new feature called the “Family and Business Wallet,” allowing families and companies to manage parking and payments easily.
Families can create a shared wallet for members to use for parking, ensuring that funds are dedicated solely to this purpose. Companies can provide employees with specific-use wallets to cover parking needs, thereby reducing expenses and preventing violations.
Regarding the future of artificial intelligence in parking and transportation, Al-Safi remarked, “We are committed to integrating AI into all stages of our services, from payment methods to intelligent monitoring and engaging with the public through interactive digital systems. Ultimately, our goal is to provide a comprehensive experience that combines speed, accuracy, and convenience in Dubai, which continues to lead the world in technological innovation.”
He noted that AI has directly contributed to increased revenue and improved collection efficiency, with revenues reaching approximately 600 million dirhams in 2023 and projected to exceed 700 million by the end of 2024, with expectations to surpass the billion dirham mark this year.
Al-Safi mentioned that AI has helped to double revenues by 16% to 30% in areas where intelligent systems have been implemented, but emphasized that achieving high performance accuracy and delivering better service to the public remains more important than merely increasing revenue.